“The people of our community need us to increase our gifts, improve our workplace campaigns, and bring in new donors,” said United Way of Mid Coast Maine Campaign Chair Joel Merry at the Campaign Kick-off held Sept. 13 at Central Lincoln County YMCA in Damariscotta, one of United Way’s 37 local partner agencies.

Campaign Chair Merry discussed the large number of local residents who are living in poverty, living without health insurance, seniors without enough resources to support themselves, adults living with a mental illness, teenagers reporting feeling sad or hopeless, and children not able to receive high-quality child care.

United Way’s goal is to raise $1,750,000 to help people in Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties, Brunswick and Harpswell, who are facing challenges to their health and economic stability, and to give the best start in life to local children. Donations fund community initiatives and vital services at local partner agencies that provide food, shelter, prescription assistance, health care, volunteer matches for isolated seniors, Big Brothers and Big Sisters for adolescents, home visiting for new parents, high-quality child care, and much more.

Two anonymous donors have offered to match donors’ new and increased gifts, to encourage people to start giving or to increase their giving. “Thank you to our generous Match donors!” said Merry.

“It’s very important that we increase giving from retirees, individual professionals, and others giving outside the workplace. We also need to see more people face to face, and run the best possible workplace campaigns.”

LincolnHealth and Mid Coast Hospital co-sponsored the Kick-off, and CLC Y Executive Director Meagan Hamblett and Eliza Ring of Spectrum Generations – Meals on Wheels spoke to the gathering on the importance of United Way donations to their programs. Kelly Creamer of LincolnHealth and Chris Szalay of Wiscasset and partner agency SEARCH were introduced as Campaign Cabinet members. Also introduced were Loaned Executive Cindy Heil of Southport and Campaign Director Tom Blatz of Wiscasset. United Way Board members Christine Anderson of LincolnHealth and Mary Ellen Barnes of the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission also participated in the Kick-off.

“United We ALL Win!” is the theme of this year’s campaign. Merry noted that all community members are on the same team. “We’re fighting against poverty and illness. Loneliness and despair. We’re fighting against the chronic, toxic stresses that can hem families in, and not give children a fair chance at healthy development, and reaching their full potential. These are tough things to fight against. But we’re doing it. And we can win. We’re winning with the 23,000 people whose lives United Way helps change every year.”

Everyone in Mid Coast Maine is included in the community effort and encouraged to give.  Anyone not reached by a workplace campaign can send a donation to United Way of Mid Coast Maine, 34 Wing Farm Parkway, Bath, Maine 04530. People can also call 207-443-9752 or go online at uwmcm.org to give monthly or one-time by credit card or ask to be billed. 

Every workplace in Mid Coast Maine, of any size, is urged to call United Way and schedule a brief presentation so employees can hear about local services and make a personal decision whether to contribute through payroll deduction.

Merry thanked Bath Iron Works, L.L. Bean, Bath Savings Institution, and FHC for sponsoring Loaned Executives to help run the campaign, and Amtrak, L.L. Bean, Downeast Energy, and Hannaford for donating campaign incentives for new and increased giving.

Merry reported encouraging early Campaign results at the Kick-off. All-staff United Way meetings were held at many local school districts, including AOS 93, Lincoln Academy, RSU 1, MSAD 75, Brunswick Schools, and Maine Region 10 Technical High School. Several companies gave early “Pacesetter” corporate gifts, including Midcoast Federal Credit Union, Riley Insurance, L.L. Bean, Norway Savings, JHR Development, and Woodex Bearing. Employees of Bath Iron Works and Mid Coast-Parkview Health who are Sustained Givers – giving continually year in and year out – together are contributing almost $120,000. And 100 percent of United Way Board, Campaign Cabinet, and staff members have already pledged to the Campaign.

Merry announced that as of the Kick-off, the campaign has raised $296,284, or 16.5 percent of the Goal. The Campaign Finale is Nov. 8 at Bowdoin College. More information on United Way’s results in improving lives can be found at www.uwmcm.org.